Comparing Standard and Specialized Eye Care Methods to Prevent Eye Problems in Intensive Care Patients on Mechanical Ventilation

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to compare different methods of eye care in intensive care patients who are receiving mechanical ventilation. The study is designed as a prospective, randomized controlled experiment to evaluate how various eye care approaches affect the prevention of eye complications like conjunctival edema, eye infections, and dry eye. The trial includes patients with a Glasgow Coma Scale score below 12 who have been in the ICU for at least 24 hours, focusing on improving eye health during critical care. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of four groups standard eye care using sterile gauze and saline eye care using a specially developed eye care kit applied four times daily eye care following a detailed eye care protocol with daily risk assessments and physician alerts or a combination of the eye care kit and the protocol together. Nursing staff will be trained on the protocol and kit use, and eye coverage will be provided for patients with incomplete eyelid closure. The Schirmer test will be used to assess tear production before and after the interventions on days 1, 5, 7, and 10. During the study, patients will undergo daily eye assessments for signs of infection, conjunctival edema, and dry eye symptoms. Data collection will include clinical observations, Schirmer test results, and monitoring of eye care administration. The study will last for ten days starting 24 hours after ICU admission, with continuous documentation of eye care and ocular condition changes. Researchers will analyze the data to determine which eye care approach best prevents complications in ventilated ICU patients.

Effects of Two Different Eye Care Practices on Eye Complications in Mechanically Ventilated Intensive Care Patients